Unauthorised Absence

Director: Georgia Parris

Year: 2018

Boldly combining the power of dance and cinema, 'Mari' tells the life-affirming story of professional dancer and choreographer Charlotte (Bobbi Jene Smith), as she prepares for a new show. Uniquely using the poetic expression of dance to drive the narrative, Charlotte’s world is turned upside down when she discovers she is pregnant and also that her grandmother Mari is coming to the end of life, forcing her to confront her past in order to choose the future she wants. As the weekend with her family progresses, Charlotte’s own mortality sinks in, her identity unravels and truths about the women in her life surface. Lost, she is driven to find new meaning in places she'd previously avoided or dismissed, leaving her changed forever. With original choreography, MARI follows Charlotte on a personal journey that goes from her grandmother’s deathbed to the prospect of motherhood. Official Selection BFI London Film Festival 2018 - Create Strand - World premiere

Director: Robyn Egan

Year: 2026

Wren is interviewed for a job at Brixham Fish Market. Gary shows her around and tells her to come back tomorrow, for the night shift. A few hours into the shift and Wren is flagging, she enjoys a moment of calm whilst smoking outside - until she is confronted with Cali, who wants a lighter and a chat. The next few nights, sleepless days and awkward interactions blur into each other until Cali greets Wren with a coffee and cigarette for the usual 2am slump. Wren is disgusted when realising Cali has spiked her coffee with brandy. Steph shows Wren how to fillet. Cali rushes to help, standing behind Wren, he places his hands on hers.Wren shrinks down, motionless, allowing Cali to puppeteer her, forcing his groin into her from behind. Wren empties her locker, she’s not coming back. She leaves, only to find Cali waiting for her, unbuckling his belt. Wren waits until his trousers are down, walks over to him, without breaking eye contact and guts Cali like a fish. She makes use of the “Monster Industrial Chum Grinder”, to dismember Cali’s body, discarding the chum into the sea at sunrise. She gracefully enters the sea herself, cleansed.

Director: Martin Crasborn

Year: 2026

Set in rural England, Dusk follows Douglas, a young farmer whose beloved horse suffers a debilitating injury. When his father insists the decision to end her suffering must be rest on his shoulders alone, Douglas must confront the heavy weight of adulthood. Rifle in hand, he faces an agonising test of duty.